Folding couch bunk-bed



Oct. 7, 1958 G. M. HAGsTRoM 2,854,672

FOLDING coucxj BUNK-BED Filed May 10, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Gordon M'agsram ORNEYo Wm IM T w H M M mf WM| ww M ,w H2/ w W MJ M. m NWN@ Ww Z N| Oct. 7, 1958 G. M. HAGsTRoM 2,854,672

FOLDING COUCH BUNK-BED Filed May 10, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 R m m n 1 M. ilu 2 ,I.i .w www WW iufm H MNH. www N l 7 Gordon MHajsrom/ BY @but *21g ATTORNEYS Oct. 7, 1958 G. M. HAGsTRoM 2,854,672

` FOLDING CoUcH BUNK-BED Filed May 10. 1955 4 sheets-sheet 4 Wm? h" @Em INVENT OR 2/6/ G'onlonMHa/ysrom BY M# A ORNEYnSr United States Patent O FOLDING COUCH BUNK-BED Gordon M. Hagstrom, Hurley, Wis. Application May 10, 1955, Serial No. 587,241

7 Claims. (Cl. 5 9) This invention relates to a folding couch bunk-bed, and preferably to a double deck folding couch bunk or bed particularly for use in camping trailers and in other places having limited oor area.

One object of this invention is to provide a double deck bed of the type described in which the upper bunk folds down onto the lower bunk to form the back rest of a couch.

Another object of the invention is to provide a double deck bunk-bed of the type described in which the upper bunk folds downwardly in spaced relation to the room wall or end supports to provide storage space.

A further object of this invention is to provide a bunkbed of the type described in which the upper and lower bunks fold downwardly and upwardly respectively to provide free oor space.

These and other objects will appear when considering the following description, which taken with the accompanying drawings constitutes a disclosure of my invention.

In the drawings, in which like characters of reference indicate like elements throughout the several figures:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view with a portion thereof broken away of the bunk-bed of my invention set up for occupancy;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary end view looking from the left in Fig. 1, showing the upper bunk in solid lines as being folded down in the couch back-rest position; and in the bunk-bed position in dotsiash lines; and in a secondary couch back-rest position in dash-dot-dot lines;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. l showing a modification of my novel folding couch bunk-bed;

.Y Fig. 4 is an end view looking from the left in Fig. 1 showing the elements in bunk-bed position;

Fig. 5 is an end view similar to Fig. 4 showing the upper bunk on solid lines folded down into the couch backrest. position and the dot-dash lines in an upper storage position;

Fig. 6 is an end view as in Fig. 5 showing both bunks folded away providing free unobstructed oor space;

Fig. 7 is a section taken on the line 7 7 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a view showing the detail of a portion of the means for supporting the upper bunk;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing both bunkbeds as double beds; u

Fig. 10 is an end view looking from the left of Fig. 9 showing the bunk-bed positions in solid lines and the couch back position of the upper bunk in dot-dash line position; and

Fig. l1 is an end view similar to Fig. l0 in which one storage position is shown in solid lines and an alternate storage position is shown in dot-dash lines.

In Fig. 1 I have shown a double deck bed having a lower bed or bunk 10 and an upper bed or bunk 12. The

lower bunk 10 is supported on the oor 14 by means of legs 16 pivoted to the frame members of the bunk. A mattress, box spring or other conventional cushioningl 18 is provided for the bunk.

The roomette or cubicle in which the bunk-bed of this ICC invention is to be used is shown for the purpose of illustration as comprising end walls 24-26 and a rear wall 28. A pair of supporting guide rails 20, 22 are suitably spaced above the bunk 10 and secured on the end walls 24 and 26. The upper bunk 12 comprises a frame consisting of outer and longitudinally extending side members 30 and 32, and transversely extending end members 34 and 36 respectively, provided with conventional cushioning means 38. The side members 30, 32 extend beyond the end members 34, 36 and provide longitudinal extension portions 33, 33 respectively on the side members. The supporting guide rails 20 and 22 are each provided with a plurality of outer and inner spaced notches 40 and 42 respectively, which cooperate with pivot pins or dowels 44 secured to the end members 34--36 adjacent the inner member 32, in the manner now to be described.

In its normal position for occupancy, the bunk 12 has the pivot pins 44, one being shown in Figs. l and 2, resting in the inner notches 42. Blocks 46 are provided on the end members 34 and 36 immediately adjacent the extended portions 47 of the outer member 30. The blocks 46 and extension portions 33 rest on the rails 20, 22.

Blocks 48 are provided on the rails 20, 22 in order to prevent accidental removal of the bunk 12 from its normal position on the rails.

The end walls 24 and 26 are provided with stop blocks 50 mounted thereon a short distance above the mattressI 18 and are so disposed to abut the blocks 46 when the Fig. 2.

When it is desired to use this bed as a couch or day bed, the upper bunk 12 is lifted slightly at its outer edge (side member 30) and pulled outwardly. The pivot pins 44 will ride out of the inner notches 42 and upon further forward movement will drop into the outer notches 40. The bunk may then be pivoted about pins 44 in the outer notches 40 until the blocks 46 rest against the stop blocks 50, as shown in solid lines in Fig. 2, In Figs. 1 and 2 the lower bunk or bed 10 is illustrated as being wider than the upper bunk 12. However, it need not be so, and it is to be understood that both the upper and lower bunks or beds may be of the same width without departing from the spirit of my invention. If a narrow lower bunk 10 is used the upper bunk 12 will be lifted as before and moved forward enough for the blocks 46 and the extension portions 33 to clear the rail blocks 48. The outer edge (side member 30) is then lowered until it clears the rail blocks 48 and then the bunk is moved inwardly until the pins 44 rest in the inner notches 42 and the bunk is then pivoted downwardly to the dashdot-dot line position indicated by arrow A in Fig. 2. In this position additional stop blocks 50 are used or stop blocks 50 are moved to the position of blocks 50'. The upper bunk 12 may also be used in either position as shown in Fig. 2 with the bed 10 as shown in said figure.

i It"should be noted that with the upper bunk 12 lowered as shown in 'solid lines in Fig. 2, a storage spacevS is formed between the back of the bunk 12 and rear wall 28 of the'iroomette. i y

VBlocks 50" are placed on theA end walls 24 andA 26 somewhat above the normal level of the upper bed l12 when in use. By lifting the upper bed about a'pivot point established -by the end extension portion -`33 on rails" 20-22 the pin 44 is disengaged from the notch 42 and by moving the upper bed forward slightly, it'will, whenv fur' 3 it when using the bed 10 as a couch. This is the identical position shown in dot-dash lines in Figs. and 11, and is not here shown, in the interest of clarity.

In Fig. 3 is shown a perspective View similar to Fig. 1, wherein there is illustrated a lower bunk 110 and an'upper' bunk 112 mounted in a suitable roomette or cubicle. In describing this modication 100 has been added to certain numerals before used to indicate parts in this modification corresponding to similar parts of the device shown in Figs.'l and 2. In this modication the lower bunk 110 is of the same width and is like the upper bunk 112, and like parts of the lower bunk corresponding to the parts of the upper bunk will be given primes, such as the outer and the inner side members 130' and 132', end members 134 and 136 and mattress 138. Each of the end walls of the roornette'is provided with inner S2 and outer 54 slots which are shown only on the end wall 126 in Figs. 3, 4 and 5. Inner pins 56, one being shown in Fig. 3, are mounted on the bunk 112 near the inner side member 132, by suitable brackets 57 or the like, and are adapted to ride in the inner slots 52. Normally the pins 56 rest in the notches 58 which are provided in the lower edge of the slots 52 near the outer ends thereof. The outer edge of the bunk 112 is supported by blocks 66 slidably mounted in the outer slots 54 by means of pins 68. Each of the slots 54 is provided with enlarged portions 70 at the inner ends thereof in which the pins 68 rest in normal use to support the bunk 112 in the bunk-bed position. The enlarged portions 70 may be considered notches for accommodating the pins 68.

The lower bunk 110 is provided with pivot pinsn 62 journaled in suitable openings in the end walls of the roomette, one pin being shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6.

*'Blocks 72 are suitably mounted on the end walls of the roomette to support the outer edge of the lower bunk 110 with the end members 134 and 136' resting thereon. It is to he understood that the outer edge of the lower bunk 110 can be supported by legs pivoted to the frame members thereof without departing from the scope of this invention. Such pivoted legs are shown in the modileation illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

On the end members 134 and 136' are mounted a pair of stop levers 74, only one being illustrated in Figs. 3 to 6 and the other in Fig. 7. The levers 74 are mounted longitudinally olset for pivotal movement, Ias at 76, on brackets 78. These levers are so shaped that in non use they lie as shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 6, but in use they are pivoted to a vertical stop position as in Fig. 5 with the heel 80 resting on the end members 134', 136'.

' Blocks 74' are slidably mounted on end walls 124 and 126, by having pins 75 adapted to ride in slots 74".

The operation of this modification will now be described. ln Fig. 3 the bed is shown as ready for occupancy. When it is desired to use it as a couch or day bed,

the outer portion of the bunk 112 is lifted slightly upwardly and the blocks 66 are withdrawn to the outer positions shown in dotted lines in Figs. 4, 6 and 8 with the pins 68 resting in the outer portions of the slots 54. The bunk 112 can then be pivoted downwardly about the pins 56 in the notches 58 to the position shown in Fig. 5. The levers 70, having been raised to the vertical position, will engage the lower outer ends of the end members 134 and 136.

Should it be desired to provide `additional unobstructed oorspace, the upper bunk 112 may be moved rearwardly with the pins 56 riding in the slots 52, to the position shown Fig. 6, and with the catches 74 having been loweredor left in the normal position, as in Fig. 3. The upper bunk 112 is then pivoted about pins S6, as described above, and then the outer side (member 130') of the lower bunk 110 is raised about its pivot 62 to the position shown in Fig. 6. Latch pins 82 are mounted in bosses 84 on the outer member 130 and register with 4 openings 60 in the walls 124-126 to retain the lbunks in pivoted position.

As explained before in connection with Figs. 1 and 2, in this modification the lower bunk may be narrow as shown or may be of greater width than the upper bunk, as shown in Figs. l and 2.

By moving the blocks 74 forwardly and lifting the upper bed 112 to a position above them, and then moving the blocks 74 rearwardly and lowering the bed thereon, the bed will be supported as shown in dot-dash lines in Fig. 5 to provide added head room.

In Fig. 9 I have shown a bunk-bed arrangement similar to that of Fig. l, wherein both bunks are of double bed size. The lower bunk 210 is provided with front and rear frame members 230', 232', end members 234' and 236', legs 226 and pins 262 carried by the end frame members 234 and 236 which are adapted to enter suitable openings in the end walls, as are the pins 62 of Figs. 3, 4 and 5, described above. The bed 21,0 includes a conventional cushioning 23S'.

Guide rails 220 and 222 are mounted on the end walls to support the upper bed 212 and are similar to the guide rails 20-22 of Fig. 1. The bed 212 comprises frontV and rear frame members 230 and 232 and end membersy 234 and 236 and includes a conventional cushioning 238. Pins 256 are attached to the end frames 234, 236 at points rearwardly of the mide-length of the end frames and rest, in notches 240 on the guide rails 2241-222. The front; and rear rails 230, 232 are extended as at 233, 233' to rest on the guide rails 220, 222. Blocks 266 normally retain the bunk 212 in bed-bunk position. Blocks 250 and 2774,. are mounted on the end walls, one block 258 and one. block 274 being shown mounted on the end wall 226.v

The bunk 212 may be positioned and used as a back rest when using bunk 210 as a couch by lifting the upper bunk 212 slightly and urging it forward so that the end extension portions 233 clear the block 266. Such movement causes the upper bunk 212 to be pivoted about the end extension portions 233' on the guide rails 220, 222 thus disengaging the pins 256 from the notches 240. When the end extension portions 233 have cleared the blocks 266 the upper bunk is urged inwardly until the pins 256 are again engaged in the notches 240 and then pivoted downwardly until the end extension portions 233 engage the blocks 250 and the upper bunk is in back rest' position for the lower bunk 210 to be used as a couch, as shown in the dot-dash position of Fig. l0.

Alternately the bunk 212 may be raised and pivoted about the end extension portions 233 and urged outwardly and further raised until the end extension portions 233 clear the blocks 274 and then urged inwardly until the end extension portions 233 will rest on the blocks 274 providing extra head room as shown in dotdash lines in Fig. 11.

Also the bunk 212 may be pivoted about pin 256 on the guide rails 220 and 222 and then moved rearwardly, as shown in solid lines in Fig. 1l, to a position substantially against back wall 228. The bunk 210 may then be raised to the position shown in Fig. 1l and suitably fastened, to provide maximum free iloor space in the roomette.

It is to be understood that in this last movement, ends 234 and 236 of bunk 210 will clear blocks 250 sincel railway cars or on boats.

In the foregoing specification, specific examples have The double deckA bunk of this invention is equally adapted for houses vor for use in roomettes or cubicles in other vehicles such as been given, but these are by no means to be considered limitations, and modifications may be made such as may occur to one skilled in the art within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A couch berth structure having an upper berth member, a lower berth member, support means normally supporting said berth members in a irst position with said berth members being disposed in generally parallel planes, said support means including guide means iXed in one of said generally parallel planes and pivot means supported thereon for positioning at least one of said berth members in a plurality of other desired positions which are generally parallel to each other, said one berth member, when disposed in one of the said other desired positions, being in a plane which will intersect at least one of the said parallel planes and means for supporting the said one berth member in any selected one of the said other desired positions.

2. A couch berth structure having an upper berth member, a lower berth member, support means normally supporting said berth members in a rst position with said berth members being disposed in generally parallel planes, said support means including guide means fixed in the said generally parallel plane of the upper berth member and pivot means slidably supported thereon for positioning the upper berth member in a plurality of other desired positions which are generally parallel to each other, said upper berth member, when disposed in one of the said other desired positions, being in a plane which will intersect at least one of the said parallel planes and means for supporting the upper berth member in any selected one of the said other desired positions.

3. The couch berth structure as set forth in claim 2 wherein said lower berth member is of greater Width than said upper berth member.

4. The couch berth structure as set forth in claim 2 wherein said support means further includes end members on said upper berth member supported by said guide means when the upper berth member is in said iirst position.

5. The couch berth structure as set forth in claim 2 wherein said guide means is provided with spaced inner and outer stop means for positioning the pivot means.

6. A couch berth structure as set forth in claim 2 wherein said support means further includes a pivot means for positioning the lower berth member in a position substantially parallel to the selected one of the other desired positions.

7. A couch berth structure having an upper berth member, a lower berth member, upper and lower support means normally supporting said berth members in a iirst position with said berth members being disposed in substantially parallel planes, said upper support means comprisiug elongated guide means iixed in the said generally parallel plane of the upper berth member, each members mounted on said upper berth member, supporting blocks carried by said end members and supported by the elongated guide means when the upper berth member is in the said irst position, pivot means slidably supported on said guide means and longitudinally spaced stop means on said guide means for positioning the pivot means along said guide means to position the upper berth member in a plurality of other desired positions which are generally parallel to each other, said upper berth member, when disposed in one of the said other desired positions, being in a plane which will intersect at least one of the said parallel planes and means for supporting the upper berth member in any selected one of the said other desired positions.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 246,082 Coiiin Aug. 23, 1881 544,980 Hoskins Aug. 29, 1895 1,995,416 Carcanagues Mar. 26, 1935 2,229,608 Rugsdale et al. lan. 21, 1941 2,440,515 Kelly et al. Apr. 27, 1948 2,644,169 Read et al. July 7, 1953 i FOREIGN PATENTS 2,646 Great Britain 1875 25,545 Great Britain Nov. 8, 1913 128,658 Sweden June 27, 1950 268,664 Great Britain Apr. 7, 1927 561,086 France Iuly 27, 1923 UNITED STATES PATENT oEEICE CERTIFICATE @E @QRRECHON .Patent No, 2,85L+,672 October 7, 1958 Gordon M, Hagstrom It is herebf'y Certified that error appears n theprir1ted specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column o? line l2, for "each membersH read m end members m,

Signed and sealed this 3rd day of March 1959.

(SEAL) Attest:

KARL H. AXLINE Attesting Ofcer ROBERT C. WATSON Commissioner of Patents 

